The headquarters of the International Civil Aviation Organization (a UN organization) is one of the major landmarks in the restructuring of Montreal’s urban fabric, which became fragmented following the construction of the Ville-Marie Expressway in the early 1970s.

The 33,000 m2 complex includes a 16-storey office tower reserved exclusively for delegations of ICAO member countries, as well as an independent conference centre with advanced acoustics built to highly specific design requirements.

The design of the 7 conference rooms — with a seating capacity ranging from 57 to 921 — includes a simultaneous interpretation system and audio-visual services. The furniture was designed to suit configurations and specific requirements of the different rooms. Additional services in the building include a print shop, cafeteria, daycare and physical fitness centre.

The distinctive attributes of a building that hosts delegations from more than 180 countries called for highly sophisticated security measures that met Royal Canadian Mounted Police requirements. An explosion protection slab was integrated into the building’s structure for security reasons and to shield against vibrations due to the underground expressway and metro line beneath the site.

Distinctions

1991

Award of Excellence for outstanding architectural design, Canadian Architect Magazine.